One night, I was looking at a building go up in flames, all I could think about was, what a beautiful sight. That house was where I once lived with my mother and father. They always had such high expectations of me.
A few minutes earlier…
I rather die by the hand of my most prized, no, of my greatest joy than by the hands of those barbarians.
Tsubaki; are you sure about this, daddy?
Richard then placed his hand on his daughter's face and said with tears in his eyes; remember when we played with swords all those years ago, remember what I told you.
Tsubaki; I do.
Then Tsubaki held the sword, as one who would hold a bat before the ball came.
Richard; my princess, I will love you always.
SLASH!
I then turned my head and saw a flower on the roof glowing in the moonlight, it was a Gardenia, a flower that blooms at night. I then looked up at the sky.
Tsubaki; *The secret moon is beautiful tonight*
It was after thinking that, that I left, and didn't look back.
A few months later I left the country and sought refuge in the Great Russian Empire where I met some, interesting people.
Tatiana with her hand stretched in front of her; Hi! Nice to meet you!
Tsubaki with a startled expression; nice, to meet you too.
Tatiana; hey, Is your barrier still intact?
Tsubaki; uh, what?
*slap*
Mila; WHY YOULD YOU ASK THAT QUESTION TO A STRANGER?
Tatiana; but we held hands, which makes us friends.
Mila; NO IT DOESN'T! *sigh* Honestly, I can't leave you alone for three seconds.
Anyway, what brings you here?
Tsubaki; I'm looking for someone.
Mila; may I ask about that sword?
Tsubaki; It was my dad's.
Ivan; hey sis, if we don't get on the bus now, they're gonna leave without us.
Also, who is that?
Tsubaki; I'm Baki.
Ivan; And I, think you are gorgeous.
Tsubaki; I'm seeing someone.
Ivan; I like a little competition; it makes things… interesting.
Mila; hey what where you saying about the bus?
Ivan; oh yes. it's already left us behind.
oopsie.
Mila; I'm going to wring your neck till your head flabs upside down.
Ivan; can we not in front of the stranger, resort to such violence.
Milia then grabbed his head, and raised him up.
Tsubaki; hold on, there's a wagon over there, let's ask them for help.
A few moments later…
?; What do you to want?
Milia; we just need a ride anywhere west of here.
?; Hard pass.
Tatiana; please! My parents were killed by terrorists and I just want to go to Europe with my friends for a better life.
?; still no.
Tsubaki; how much?
?; excuse me?
Tsubaki; name your price.
? then looked into Tsubaki's eyes very carefully for a while.
Alright.
Tatiana; WOHOO! ERE WE GO!
3 months later, in a blizzard
Milia agitated; we've been trapped in this cabin for more than a month now! When are we leaving?
Ivanka; Like I said several times before, if you want to become a frozen block of ice, go ahead. No skin of my back.
Milia; you told us that you would get us to Europe in one month.
Ivanka; and I also said if conditions were ideal.
? just entering the room; big sister?
Ianka; yes, Yulia, what is it?
Yulia; the girl with yellow hair keeps asking weird questions.
Milia with an eyeroll: …
Ivanka; it's alright, she won't bother you any more soon…
Ivanka looking at Milia; …won't she?
Milia before going downstairs; *sigh*
Ivan was looking outside through the window watching as snow fell vigorously.
Tsubaki at the other end of the table; Are you OK?
Ivan; oh yes, I was just thinking you see. Me and my sister used to play in the snow all day when we were little.
Tsubaki; never thought Milia was someone who would just have fun.
Ivan; yes, she was ounce a breath of fresh air, who's smile captivated us all. But in the depression 10 years ago, my parents were forced to split up, my relatives too. We planned to take Tatiana with us and leave for Europe for better lives with the rest of our relatives.
Tsubaki; I see, so are you ever going to tell Yulia you like her?
Ivan; I could never, Ivanka and my sister would kill me.
And besides, I don't see us going anywhere.
Tsubaki; how does it feel being 19?
Ivan; it's not at all as pleasant as it sounds. May I ask a strange question?
Tsubaki; go ahead.
Ivan; what are you?
Tsubaki; …
I'm sorry?
Ivan; no, I should be apologizing for asking such a question, but I've met a lot of people, and I always had a gift of telling people apparat by some unique characteristic. However, when I speak to you, I feel like I'm speaking with a corpse. It's like you're an empty shell, a being void of any humanity whatsoever. Like someone pretending to be human.
Tsubaki; I need to leave.
Tsubaki then left, Ivan wanted to say something to stop her but then changed his mind and sat there. And once again looked outside.
Ivan; *it's almost 19:00 and this storm isn't letting up, wait a minute, who's that outside? *
There stood a dark figure in the snow in front of the cabin. It resembled a man in a robe and suddenly it disappeared.
It then reappeared at the door.
EOC